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Follow UsPaul Stirling has been appointed Ireland's permanent white-ball captain while Andy Balbirnie will continue as the team's red-ball captain, Cricket Ireland have announced. Balbirnie, who was Ireland's captain across formats, stepped down as the white-ball captain following the team's poor show in the World Cup Qualifiers earlier this year.
Under Stirling, Ireland have secured their place in the T20 World Cup 2024 after finishing second in the European Qualifiers held in Scotland in July.
Stirling has led Ireland in six ODIs and 16 T20Is already. He has amassed 376 appearances for Ireland so far, just 13 behind Kevin O'Brien. During his stint with the Irish side, Stirling has scored 11,756 runs, which is the most by anyone from his country. He is also one of 25 cricketers who has scored a hundred in all three formats of the game.
Speaking of his appointment as captain, Stirling said, “Playing for Ireland has always been a source of pride for me and to be confirmed the permanent white-ball captain is a recognition I don’t take for granted. I have very much enjoyed working with Heinrich [Malan] and the coaching staff over the last few months as interim skipper, but we all know that we have potentially three world cup campaigns over the next four years and the work starts now.
“I said recently that ODI cricket was my favourite format, and to watch on as the 50-over World Cup has been underway is actually been a great motivator for me to ensure we are there at the next event in 2027. I know this desire is a common feeling throughout the squad, and so we’ll look to harness this drive into the next series scheduled for December.
“We also recognise that there is only eight months now to the next T20 World Cup, so the clock has well and truly started on our preparations.”
National selector, Andrew Whites aid that the division in leadership responsibilities will have no bearing in their availability across formats. “We’re delighted that Stirlo [Paul Stirling] has accepted the role and – despite working closely with him in an interim capacity over the last few months – it feels as though we are now at the start of a new cycle with a lot of cricket coming our way over the next four years," White said.
“The splitting of the white-ball and red-ball captaincy is an important piece for us, as the responsibilities both on-field and off-field as a captain are immense. We believe Andrew Balbirnie has much to give in red-ball leadership and want him to continue on in that capacity, while Paul will focus on the ODI and T20 disciplines.
"This captaincy delineation has no bearing on either player’s participation in any of the three formats, and we would expect both Paul and Andrew to be in consideration in all three formats into the foreseeable future."
According to ICC's FTP 2023-27, Ireland's next assignment is the tour of Zimbabwe in November-December 2023, where they are scheduled to play one Test, three ODIs and as many T20Is. Most recently, they were involved in a three-match ODI series against England ahead of the World Cup, which they lost 1-0.
